What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
example
Example
Let me give you an example of what I mean. [example: noun]
Example
She set a good example for her children by always being honest. [example: noun]
Example
The survey included a representative example of the population. [example: adjective]
sample
Example
Can I have a sample of that perfume? [sample: noun]
Example
We need to take a sample of the water to test for contaminants. [sample: noun]
Example
The survey was conducted using a random sample of the population. [sample: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Example is more commonly used than sample in everyday language. Example is a versatile word that can be used in many different contexts, while sample is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between example and sample?
While both example and sample can be used in formal and informal contexts, sample is more commonly used in scientific or technical writing, where precision and objectivity are important.
